Black History Month: A Spotlight on Notable Psychologists

Black History Month offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the profound influence Black psychologists have had on the evolution of the field. Their groundbreaking work has expanded the boundaries of psychological science, deepened our understanding of identity and human behavior, and illuminated the impact of culture, community, and lived experience on mental health. Many of the theories, practices, and equity focused frameworks that shape today’s psychological landscape are built on the foundations these trailblazers established, often in the face of systemic barriers. ‑focused frameworks that shape today’s psychological landscape are built on the foundations these trailblazers established

In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting a selection of remarkable individuals whose research, leadership, and advocacy have transformed psychology. By sharing their stories, we honor their legacy and reaffirm the importance of continuing the work they began: advancing a future where mental health care is inclusive, equitable, and shaped by diverse voices.

Foundational Figures and Early Pioneers

Francis Cecil Sumner (1895-1954)

Widely known as the “Father of Black Psychology,” Francis Cecil Sumner became the first African American to earn a PhD in psychology. He dedicated his career to challenging racial bias in academic research and expanding opportunities for Black scholars in the field. Sumner helped establish the psychology department at Howard University, mentoring future leaders—including Kenneth B. Clark—who would go on to shape psychology and civil rights history.

Solomon Carter Fuller (1872-1953)

Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller, the first Black psychiatrist in the United States, played a pivotal role in early Alzheimer’s research. Selected to work alongside Dr. Alois Alzheimer in Munich, Fuller conducted pioneering studies that illuminated the physical basis of the disease. His work also helped dispel racist pseudoscience about the mental capacities of Black individuals, using rigorous clinical research to push back against harmful narratives.

Ruth Winifred Howard (1900-1997)

Among the first Black women to earn a doctorate in psychology, Ruth Winifred Howard contributed essential research in child development and family studies. Her work emphasized holistic, culturally grounded approaches to mental health—an ethos that continues to guide modern practice.

Historic Trailblazers in Social and Developmental Psychology

Kenneth B. Clark (1914–2005) and Mamie Phipps Clark (1917–1983)

This husband‑and‑wife team conducted the famous “Doll Study,” which revealed how segregation shaped Black children’s self‑perception. Their findings became central evidence in Brown v. Board of Education, helping to end legal segregation in schools. Beyond research, the Clarks founded the Northside Center for Child Development, offering vital psychological services to families in Harlem.

Inez Beverly Prosser (1895-1934)

The first Black woman to earn a PhD in psychology, Inez Beverly Prosser studied the effects of segregated versus integrated schooling on Black children. Her findings highlighted the emotional harm caused by hostile learning environments and became early evidence for the importance of culturally affirming educational spaces.

Pioneers in Cultural, Clinical, and Community Psychology

Na’im Akbar (1944-Present)

A seminal figure in the development of modern Black psychology, Na’im Akbar has written extensively on the psychological and cultural aspects of African American identity and mental health. He is an internationally known scholar, author, lecturer, researcher, and expert. He created the Black psychology program at Morehouse University, Norfolk State University, and Florida State University. 

Alvin Poussaint (1934-2025)

A renowned psychiatrist and advocate for racial justice in healthcare, Dr. Alvin Poussaint’s research focused on the mental health effects of racism and inequality. His career at Harvard Medical School positioned him as a leading voice in addressing racial disparities in clinical practice.

John Hope Franklin (1915-2009)

Although best known as a historian, John Hope Franklin’s influential work on race relations expanded psychological understanding of racism’s societal and individual impact. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995, and his scholarship has shaped research across the social sciences for generations.

Joseph L. White (1932-2017)

Often called the “godfather of Black psychology,” Joseph White championed multicultural counseling and challenged Eurocentric models of mental health. His work helped validate culturally responsive approaches and legitimized Black psychology as a distinct, necessary discipline.

Contemporary Leaders Advancing Equity and Social Impact

E. Kitch Childs (1937-1993)

A clinical psychologist, feminist theorist, and LGBTQ+ advocate, E. Kitch Childs built community-focused mental health services for marginalized groups. She was among the first to center Black women’s experiences in therapeutic practice, offering a model of care rooted in intersectionality decades before the term was widely recognized.

Robert Lee Williams II (1930-2020)

A founding figure of the National Association of Black Psychologists, Robert Lee Williams II created the Black Intelligence Test of Cultural Homogeneity, which exposed cultural bias embedded in traditional IQ tests. His work reshaped thinking about intelligence, assessment, and cultural context.

Beverly Daniel Tatum (1954–Present)

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum is one of today’s most influential voices on racial identity development. Her landmark book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?, reframed the national conversation around race and belonging in educational settings. Her scholarship continues to guide educators, psychologists, and policymakers.

Jennifer Eberhardt (1965-Present)

A MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt is internationally recognized for her research on implicit racial bias. Her work reveals how unconscious associations influence decision-making in schools, courts, workplaces, and communities. Through partnership-based reform efforts, she translates psychological science into practical solutions for reducing inequity.

Phillip Atiba Solomon (f.k.a. Goff) (1977–Present)

A leading expert on race and policing, Dr. Phillip Atiba Solomon (f.k.a. Goff) studies how implicit bias shapes public safety outcomes. He co‑founded the Center for Policing Equity, the largest research and action think tank addressing racial disparities in policing. His data‑driven work informs policy nationwide and exemplifies psychology’s role in advancing justice.

Continuing the Legacy

These figures, both past and present, represent just a fraction of the Black psychologists and mental health professionals whose work has shaped the discipline. Their scholarship, advocacy, and commitment to justice have broadened the discipline’s understanding of race, identity, culture, and community, while paving the way for mental health practices that honor lived experience and promote equity.

As we celebrate Black History Month, we honor their contributions and recommit ourselves to building a future in which all voices are seen, valued, and amplified.